Hair straightening iron with toxic fumes filter

ABSTRACT

A system for filtering toxic fumes discharged from chemically treated hair, comprising a hair straightening iron connected to an electricity source, a hollow structure connected to one of the outer surfaces of the hair straightening iron, a hollow tube attached inside the hollow structure, the hollow tube comprising holes spanning its length and sealed on a first end thereof, a flexible pipe connected on a first end thereof to a second end of said hollow tube, and a filtering device connected to a second end of said flexible pipe, the filtering device comprising a suction motor and a filter especially designed to filter the toxic fumes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of hair treatment and more particularly to a hair straightening device with filtering capabilities.

BACKGROUND

Brazilian Keratin Treatment (also called escova progressiva, keratin straightening or BKT) is a method of temporarily straightening hair by sealing the hair with a liquid keratin and formaldehyde solution with a flat iron.

The Brazilian Keratin Treatment is a long-term blow dry for hair that lasts about three months. Pioneered in Brazil, the Brazilian Keratin Treatment is said to be able to be performed on all types of chemically treated hair (bleached, hi-lights, colored, permed, relaxed or previously straightened). It is used on frizzy, damaged, unhealthy, dull and mistreated hair.

While keratin is indeed an ingredient in the formulas used to perform Brazilian Hair Straightening, the true active ingredient is formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is known to be an aggressive carcinogen, and its fumes are extremely dangerous. Heat and moderate humidity levels accelerate the noxious effects of the chemical. Since the Brazilian Hair Straightening treatment also involves applying heat to the hair with a straight-iron, stylists who perform it are in danger, and are cautioned to wear gas masks and latex gloves and perform the procedure in an area with ventilation. Even with these precautions the FDA considers any solution containing more than 0.02% formaldehyde to be patently unsafe. They don't regulate the formulas, however, most of which are manufactured in Latin America, and the higher the percentage of formaldehyde, the more effective the treatment is. Random testing performed by Allure Magazine indicated that some salons were using solutions that contained as much as ten times the safe amount.

Brazilian Keratin Treatments aren't dangerous only to the stylist. It is theorized that repeated treatments will cause formaldehyde buildup in the hair, releasing formaldehyde fumes every time a patron blow dries or hot-irons her hair. There has been at least one documented death from the treatment. Some of the known effects of formaldehyde are:

Some people are naturally highly sensitive to formaldehyde, others may not be as sensitive but over time develop an allergy to it. It's in the chemical's make up to stir the immune system and cause sensitivity. Runny nose, sore throat, headache, itching, and irritated eyes can occur with low levels of exposure. It is also a known carcinogen, and smokers in particular are at a greater risk for cancers of the airways, including nasal passages when they are exposed to formaldehyde.

There is need for a method of reducing the exposure of both hair stylists and customers to the formaldehyde's fumes or any other toxic fumes which might be released from materials used, today or in the future, to treat hair.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for filtering toxic fumes discharged from chemically treated hair, the system comprising a hair straightening iron connected to an electricity source, a hollow structure connected to one of the outer surfaces of the hair straightening iron, a hollow tube attached inside the hollow structure, the hollow tube comprising holes spanning its length and sealed on a first end thereof, a flexible pipe connected on a first end thereof to a second end of said hollow tube, and a first filtering device connected to a second end of the flexible pipe, the first filtering device comprising a suction motor and a filter especially designed to filter the toxic fumes.

The system may additionally comprise a vapor collecting hood mounted over the head of a client undergoing the chemical hair treatment, the vapor collecting hood connected to a second filtering device comprising a suction motor and a filter especially designed to filter the toxic fumes.

The first and second filtering devices may comprise a single filtering device.

The hair straightening iron may comprise a plurality of hair straightening irons.

The vapor collecting hood may comprise a plurality of vapor collecting hoods.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of filtering toxic fumes discharged from chemically treated hair, the method comprising applying a hair straightening iron to the treated hair, thereby causing toxic fumes to be discharged, sucking the discharged toxic fumes using vacuum force, filtering the sucked fumes using a filter especially designed to filter the toxic fumes, and discharging the filtered air into the atmosphere.

The sucking may comprise: connecting a hollow structure to one of the outer surfaces of the hair straightening iron, attaching a hollow tube inside the hollow structure, the hollow tube comprising holes spanning its length and sealed on a first end thereof, connecting a flexible pipe on a first end thereof to a second end of the hollow tube, connecting a first filtering device to a second end of the flexible pipe, the first filtering device comprising a suction motor and a filter especially designed to filter the toxic fumes, and operating the first filtering device to suck said toxic fumes.

The sucking may additionally comprises mounting a vapor collecting hood over the head of a client undergoing the chemical treatment, the vapor collecting hood connected to a second filtering device comprising a suction motor and a filter especially designed to filter the toxic fumes, and operating the second filtering device to suck the toxic fumes.

The first and second filtering devices may comprise a single filtering device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings.

With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a prior-art hair straightening iron;

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a hair straightening iron according to the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth regarding the system and method and the environment in which the system and method may operate, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known components, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. Moreover, various examples are provided to explain the operation of the present invention. It should be understood that these examples are exemplary. It is contemplated that there are other methods and systems that are within the scope of the present invention. Also, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and in the description to refer to the same elements to simplify the description.

The system of the present invention attempts to overcome the problem of toxic fumes being discharged into the air during chemical hair treatment, by sucking and filtering the fumes.

The system is described with reference to formaldehyde fumes being discharged into the air during Brazilian Keratin Treatments, but is suitable for any existing or future chemical hair treatment causing toxic fumes to be discharged into the air.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a prior-art hair straightening iron, generally denoted 100. The hair straightening iron 100 comprises a pair of holding parts (110, 120) connected to a pair of pressing members (130, 140 respectively) each having a heating block (150, 160 respectively), the surface of which acts as a holding surface for hair to be straightened. The holding parts (110, 120) are joined by a hinge 170 for free opening and closing. An electric cord 180 connects the hair iron 100 to a source of electricity (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a hair straightening iron according to the present invention. The hair iron, generally denoted 200, comprises a regular hair iron, such as 100 of FIG. 1, improved for the sake of sucking the formaldehyde fumes. A hollow elongated structure 210, open on both distal ends thereof and made of any suitable plastic or metal is connected to one of the outer surfaces of the hair iron. Structure 210, depicted as having a triangular shape, may alternatively be constructed in any other suitable shape. A hollow tube 220, with holes 230 spanning its length, is attached inside hollow structure 210. Hollow tube 220 is sealed (240) on its front side. A flexible pipe 245 is connected on one end thereof to hollow tube 220 on its rear side. The other end of pipe 245 is connected to a filtering device 250. Filtering device 250 comprises a suction motor (not shown), as known in the art of vacuum cleaners and a filter 260. Filter 260 is a filter especially designed to filter formaldehyde fumes, such as AC4142, provided by Philips, or Formaldehyde Filter, provided by Airfiltronix Corp. of Clifton, N.J. An outlet 270 discharges clean filtered air from the filtering device 250 back into the atmosphere.

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of another embodiment of the present invention. A vapor collecting hood 310, such as known in the art of kitchen vapor collectors, may be mounted over the treated client's chair 320, to provide additional fumes suction. Vapor collecting hood 310 is connected to a flexible pipe 330 which connects it to filtering device 250. The vapor collecting hood 310 may be mounted on the wall, on the ceiling, or on the client's chair.

According to some embodiments of the invention, a plurality of hair straightening irons 200 may be connected to a single filtering device 250, either directly or through a central vacuum pipe.

According to some embodiments of the invention, a plurality of vapor collecting hoods 310 may be connected to a single filtering device 250, either directly or through a central vacuum pipe.

According to some embodiments of the invention, a plurality of hair straightening irons 200 and vapor collecting hoods 310 may be connected to a single filtering device 250, either directly or through a central vacuum pipe.

In operation, after the liquid keratin and formaldehyde solution has been applied to the hair, filtering device 250 is turned on and the hair straightening iron 200 is operated to seal the solution to the hair while straightening it. Formaldehyde fumes discharged during the process are sucked by the vacuum force, through holes 230 in tube 220 and into flexible pipe 245. The fumes are filtered by the filtering device 250 and clean air is discharged back into the salon air through discharge outlet 270.

A vapor collecting hood 310 may be operated simultaneously, to enhance the process of purifying the air.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as are commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods are described herein.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and sub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. For example, the invention has been described with reference to formaldehyde fumes being discharged into the air during Brazilian Keratin Treatments, but is suitable for any existing or future chemical hair treatment causing toxic fumes to be discharged into the air by applying the appropriate filter. 

1. A system for filtering toxic fumes discharged from chemically treated hair, comprising: a hair straightening iron connected to an electricity source, said iron comprising a pair of holding parts, each holding part connected to a respective pressing member, each said pressing members comprising a respective heating block, the holding parts joined by a hinge; a hollow structure connected to one of the outer surfaces of the hair straightening iron, said structure open on both distal ends thereof; a hollow tube attached inside said hollow structure, said hollow tube comprising holes spanning its length, said hollow tube sealed on a first end thereof; a flexible pipe connected on a first end thereof to a second end of said hollow tube; and a first filtering device connected to a second end of said flexible pipe, said first filtering device comprising a suction motor and a filter especially designed to filter said toxic fumes.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said toxic fumes comprise formaldehyde.
 3. The system of claim 1, additionally comprising a vapor collecting hood mounted over the head of a client undergoing the chemical hair treatment, said vapor collecting hood connected to a second filtering device comprising a suction motor and a filter especially designed to filter said toxic fumes.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein said first and second filtering devices comprise a single filtering device.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said hair straightening iron comprises a plurality of hair straightening irons.
 6. The system of claim 3, wherein said vapor collecting hood comprises a plurality of vapor collecting hoods.
 7. A method of filtering toxic fumes discharged from chemically treated hair, comprising: applying a hair straightening iron to the treated hair, thereby causing toxic fumes to be discharged; sucking the discharged toxic fumes using vacuum force; filtering the sucked fumes using a filter especially designed to filter said toxic fumes; and discharging the filtered air into the atmosphere.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said sucking comprises: connecting a hollow structure to one of the outer surfaces of the hair straightening iron, said hollow structure open on both distal ends thereof; attaching a hollow tube inside said hollow structure, said hollow tube comprising holes spanning its length, said hollow tube sealed on a first end thereof; connecting a flexible pipe on a first end thereof to a second end of said hollow tube; connecting a first filtering device to a second end of said flexible pipe, said first filtering device comprising a suction motor and a filter especially designed to filter said toxic fumes; and operating said first filtering device to suck said toxic fumes.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said sucking additionally comprises: mounting a vapor collecting hood over the head of a client undergoing the chemical hair treatment, said vapor collecting hood connected to a second filtering device comprising a suction motor and a filter especially designed to filter said toxic fumes; and operating said second filtering device to suck said toxic fumes.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said first and second filtering devices comprise a single filtering device. 